Many people around the world know Islam as a religion that honors violence more than they uphold peace. The modern generation equates Islam and Muslims with war and turmoil. In fact, most people do not see the religion as having anything to do with peaceful coexistence. Many religious scholars have published books and other articles that talk about religion and its activities towards promoting peace. However, most of these studies provide a negative perspective of Muslim involvement in creating world peace. They cite horrific memories such as 9/11 and different incidences of suicide bombings and merciless shooting around the world whose perpetrators have been of Islam origins. Several religious studies that have a profound understanding of Islam states that despite the horrific nature of violence that people of Islamic origin have spurred around the world, it is important for critics to understand that the religions were founded on strong doctrines that advocated for peace and peaceful coexistence. Therefore, this study is a research paper that investigates how Islam as a religion can help promote peace and peaceful coexistence. The paper will mainly base its findings from the Quran as the point of reference because most Muslims claim to practice the teachings of the holy book. Similarly, the research paper also cites other sources with views on Islam and its practices in promoting peace in t he world.
A research study by Khan (2015), states that Islam is a religion founded on the pillars of peace contrary to normal beliefs. He states that many Muslim scholars and religious leaders who should take part in preaching peace through pacifism have not done so. In fact, according to this author, modern Muslims have moved away from the Quran and have decided to let anger and other vengeful activities take them. In his study, the author states that Islam is a religion capable of preaching peace not only within its national boundaries but also within the world. The study states that all Muslims should refer to the Quran as the main source of peaceful coexistence. In fact, according to him, the Quran states that war begets war. Therefore, it is important for any Muslim to embrace peaceful ways and move away from any form of violence.
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The study reveals that many peaceful Muslims exist around the world. However, the modern generation only recognizes Muslims as violent individuals based on the fact that most of the terror attack perpetrators are of Islamic origin (Khan, 2015) . Based on the fact that war begets war, the author states that the message from the prophet to the Muslims was that they should refrain from any violent activities and aim to uphold and embrace peace. The author also states that the Quran calls upon the Muslim community around the world to embrace peace by stating that “Peace if best” not only from one Muslim to the next but also from them to the rest of the world. Therefore, according to the author, the religion has various fundamental beliefs that function in promoting peaceful coexistence. However, he states that the current notion that the religion is violent is based on the ongoing attacks that violent Muslims have waged on other peaceful countries and their people.
Similarly, many professionals concerned with peace and coexistence around the world have reported that Islam is a hostile religion whose ideals and beliefs are tri-patriate. The studies reveal that modern Muslims are violent and base their thinking on negative attitudes and beliefs. The studies report that modern Muslims live lives influenced by negative ideologies and that their lives depend on the notions of war, revenge, and retaliation. However, a research study by Gemperli (2005) states that Muslims should refer t their holy book, the Quran as their source of guidance on how to achieve peace and harmony in their territories and around the world. According to this study, the Quran, which is the holy book of Muslims, outlines many ideologies that Muslims can use to ensure peace in the world. For example, the study states that the Quran states that peace is the cornerstone of the Islamic coexistence. The author states that the name Islam is derived from an Arabic word which means peace. Therefore, .just the mane of the religion and the community members serves the sole purpose of preaching peace above all other things. On the other hand, the main Islamic greeting “a salaam alleikhum” literally means peace be upon you. Therefore, the community can use their doctrines to promote peace and unity among them and in the world (Nadimi, 2011) .
On the same note, the Quran states that “O You who believe! Enter absolutely into peace (Islam). Do not follow in the footsteps of Satan. He is an outright enemy to you." (Holy Quran: 2, 208). This section of the Quran calls upon Muslims to follow the direction that leads them to peace. The holy book implores and calls upon all Muslims to embrace peace to do not embrace evil ways of the Satan. The Islamic religion considers Satan, an evil agent that aims at sowing discord among people. Therefore, the Quran calls upon people to calls upon Muslims all over the world to embrace peace. This means that Muslims around the globe can promote peace and peaceful coexistence by following the cornerstone of their religion with proclaims that peace should prevail over other things. On the other hand, most Imams and sheikhs around the world who preach and believe in the promotion of peace state that their religion promotes peace and peaceful coexistence among its followers.
Another research study states that Muslims can refer to the Quran to promote peace in the world is the work by Kristin (2005). The author reports that the only fundamental text that Muslims can use to promote peace among themselves and the people of the world is the Quran. Just like most analysis of the Islamic holy book, the author believes that there is not better document that teachers Muslims peaceful coexistence than the Quran. According to the study, the only way that these people can preach and promote peace is by referring to the Quran, which states that there should be freedom of religion and peaceful coexistence. In many instances, Muslim combatants have played a role creating conflicts in various parts of the world. Similarly, people or groups that profess the Islamic religion have instigated most recent attacks. These actions have made people view Islam as a hostile and violent religion that is not capable of promoting peace. However, by referring to the Quran, the Muslims will be able to realize that their holy book advocates for freedom of religion. Many wars that have occurred have taken the directive that no religion is superior to Islam. On the contrary, the Quran states that muslins should practice tolerance for other forms of religion.
The study by Laial (1991) reports that the Quran states, “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned.” (Holy Quran: 2: 256). The statement reports that no one should be compelled to believe in or adhere to Islamic teachings. Therefore, the Islamic groups and individuals who force people to convert to Islam should know that they contradict the teachings if the Quran when they force people to convert to Islam. Another section of the Quran also states, "You cannot guide those you would like to, but God guides those He wills. He has the best knowledge of the guided." (Holy Quran 28: 56). By referring to this statement, a person realizes that the holy book calls upon the Muslims not to force anybody to convert and profess the religion. However, it states that it is God’s action to call someone to convert to Islam. Therefore, by referring to these two verses or sections of the Quran, Muslims around the world can take part in promoting peace around the world by aiming to practice religious tolerance. They can also refrain from killing based on the fact that Islam is the only true religion.
Similarly, the Quran also promotes the freedom of religion and thought (Speelman & Teologi, 2013) . This means that Islamic leaders should teach their faithful that the Quran allows people of the world to have freedom of thought, religions and of expressions. The people should know that there is no verse in the Quran that states that Islam is the only true and righteous religions. However, the doctrines of Islam aim to promote freedom of religion and speech. By allowing other people who are non-Muslims to practice the religious faith and doctrine they believe in, the Quran aimed to teach its readers that people of the world have the rights that the Muslims must recognize and promote to lead to peace and peaceful coexistence in the world. A research study by Atlas (2015) states that Muslims can preach and promote peace by treating other non-Muslims in the same way since the Quran refers to these people especially the Jews and Christians as "the people of the book."
According to this study by Atlas (2015), Muslims can preach peace by knowing that their holy book prohibits persecuting anyone on the basis of his or her religion. However, the people should aim to treat every person of a different religion with peace and humility since this is what the Quran requires of them. Similarly, the leaders of the Islamic culture should take center stage in promoting the beliefs of the Quran in helping violent Muslims to practice the positive attributes of Islam. They should tell the rebels that the Islamic religion through the Quran does not advocate for persecuting people based on their religion. Similarly, the leaders should point out that their religion does not allow them or any Islamic believer to persecute other people based on their religious beliefs.
On the same note, one of the main pillars of the Sharia states that the main purpose of the Islamic law is to ensure that humans achieve happiness in the world and after that by adopting the laws that enable them to do good and neglect bad (Amstrong, 2004) . The assertion means that contrary to normal beliefs, the Islamic religion expects its followers to ensure that they leave happy lives and work towards ensuring that the people around them also live happy lives. Islam expects its followers to embrace happiness by following or adopting laws that ensure that they live in harmony with the rest of the world. For example, the report states that Islamic law does not require Muslims followers to conduct themselves in a manner that is not good for them and the people around them. The people around Muslims refer to those who do not profess the Islamic faith. By following this law, Muslims are able to ensure that they follow the laws that allow them to do good and practice peaceful coexistence with others hence promoting peace. On the same note, the first important law of Islam does not require any person to treat others in a way that does not promote freedom, happiness, peace and good deeds.
Still going by the provisions of the Quran to promote freedom of religion, the second law of Islam requires protection of religion. Muslims can aim to protect their religion by practicing the doctrines and the rules spelled in the Quran. A study by Maulana (2005) reveals that the Islamic religion serves the purpose of protecting human beings, religion, and lives. Therefore, Muslims should aim to promote peace by aiming to protect lives at all times. Since the Quran states that live is a fundamental human right, a rule that is protected by the Sharia law, the Muslims must aim to protect the dignity of people by respecting their lives irrespective of their religion.
The need to protect life as a human right is another factor spelled out in the Islamic religion. The religion requires the Muslim faithful to protect life by upholding human rights through the protection of life (Atlas, 2015) . Therefore, by aiming to uphold and respect life, Muslims can be able to promote peace in different parts of the world by preaching peaceful coexistence. Anybody who respects life will also aim to abhor war because as stated by one of the studies, war begets war and hence creating animosity that spur violence. However, if the Muslim leaders plead with their followers to embrace peace, they will also aim to ensure that they promote peace in different parts of the world. The Sharia also reports that to protect the religion, Allah refused any action that forces people into believing the religion as well as those that leads to taking human life by causing any form of affliction.
Muslims can also promote peace in their territories and around the world by protecting human lives (Speelman & Teologi, 2013) . The Quran and the Sharia law state that Life belongs to Allah. This law clearly states that no one but Allah has the right to give and take life. On the same note, once Allah has given life, human beings have the right to ensure that they protect the given life. Similarly, a study by Atlas (2015) reports that human protected people and humans by advocating the need to protect and help the poor and the less able. Contrary to normal beliefs that Islam and Muslims, in general, do not value lives of non-Muslims, the Sharia law expects them to protect human lives and aim at enabling the less able to achieve their human rights and life better lives. Therefore, Muslims can promote peace in their nations in the world by ensuring that they take part in protecting human life by respect life at all times.
The study by Muhijiroon (2013) states that Islam protects humanity through its laws, which involve almsgiving, and the laws of corporation in the communities in which people live. On this note, the religion requires corporation, an act of working together to protect the rights of others as well as life. Therefore, Muslims can promote peace and peaceful coexistence by aiming at protecting people lives through cooperating with others and by ensuring that they respect all humanities. Islam through the Sharia laws and Quran guarantee the protection of life by forbidding an act of humiliation, anger, annoyance upon a human.
The Quran states that “And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear (on themselves) a calumny and a glaring sin.” (Holy Quran 33:58). The study further reveals that Islamic religion considers any aggression or assault upon human life as a great act of crime and disrespect to the Islamic religion. On this note, Muslims around the world can recognize the fact that the two laws that govern their lived do not allow them to be aggressive to people the laws do not also permit them to assault human beings (Kristin, 2005) . Therefore, they need to practice whet their religion and the Sharia laws states in concern with protecting human life by avoiding aggression and assaults on people they live with. On the same note, the laws of Islam also state that vengeance belongs to Allah, meaning that no human being has the power to revenge. If Muslims obey the rules and the laws specified in the Quran and the Sharia laws, then they will be able to avoid violence and live in peace with the rest of humanity.
People live in a current world marked by violence of different kinds. People and groups of Islamic origins have instigated some of the most violent actions such as bombing and other forms of terror attacks. The modern generations have negative notions and view of Muslim communities and consider them as the most violent of humankind inhabiting the earth’s surface. In so doing, people, have considered Islam as a hostile religion and Muslims as hostile people. Despite all these negative publicity that Muslims have rightfully brought upon themselves. Studies have revealed that people from Islamic communities can play an important role in promoting peace. The main method that they can use to promote peace is by following different rules specified in the Quran. For example, the holy book does not advocate for vengeance, assaults, aggression, and humiliation of human lives. On the same note, the Sharia law, which is one of the laws that govern Islamic life, prohibits any violence towards humanity. Therefore, Muslims should strictly adhere to the peaceful laws of the Sharia law and the Quran and ensure that they promote peace in their boundaries and the global arena. They also need to learn that their religion alone is coined from a word that means peace and hence values peaceful coexistence as the pillar of their lives.
Reference
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